The Berlin Airlift: The Berlin Airlift: “Operation Vittles”“Operation Vittles”

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IntroductionIntroduction

On 22 Jun 1948, in an effort to force communism upon the Germans, the

Soviet Union closed all travel routes, and cut off all water/sewage systems to Berlin, East Germany. This action

earmarked the first US/Soviet Cold War Confrontation known as the Berlin Airlift,

nicknamed “Operation Vittles.”

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OverviewOverview

Berlin AirliftBerlin Airlift

Video ClipVideo Clip - - Beyond the Wild Blue SeriesBeyond the Wild Blue Series

Informal Lecture (Discussion Questions)Informal Lecture (Discussion Questions) - The Situation- The Situation

- Soviet Action- Soviet Action

- Allied Response- Allied Response

- Air Force Success- Air Force Success

- The Cold War/Airpower- The Cold War/Airpower

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Soviets/Allies OutlookSoviets/Allies Outlook

Soviets intent on security of their bordersSoviets intent on security of their borders Soviets suffered millions of casualtiesSoviets suffered millions of casualties

Allies weren’t seeking vengeanceAllies weren’t seeking vengeance Allies wanted to revitalize and stabilize Allies wanted to revitalize and stabilize

economyeconomy

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Zones of OccupationZones of Occupation

Soviets given East Germany to include Soviets given East Germany to include BerlinBerlin

United States given southwest GermanyUnited States given southwest Germany Britain given northwest GermanyBritain given northwest Germany Berlin then divided and Allies to include Berlin then divided and Allies to include

France given a sector inside BerlinFrance given a sector inside Berlin

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BlockadeBlockade

Soviets refused to supply foodSoviets refused to supply food Soviets allowed three air corridorsSoviets allowed three air corridors Soviets demanded their currency Soviets demanded their currency

(money) be adopted(money) be adopted Soviets blockaded road, rail, and Soviets blockaded road, rail, and

waterwayswaterways Soviets cut off all powerSoviets cut off all power

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Allied Response Allied Response (United States)(United States)

AirliftAirlift Backup of airlift through basing of Backup of airlift through basing of

strategic nuclear capability in Englandstrategic nuclear capability in England

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Airlift BeginsAirlift Begins

25 Jun 194825 Jun 1948 C-47 could fly 2 to 3 tons of cargoC-47 could fly 2 to 3 tons of cargo C-54 could fly 10 tons of cargoC-54 could fly 10 tons of cargo

2 million tons of cargo in almost 277,00 2 million tons of cargo in almost 277,00 flightsflights

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ResultsResults

Diplomatic weaponDiplomatic weapon Technological achievementTechnological achievement Strength of airpowerStrength of airpower

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Informal LectureInformal Lecture

1. What was the basic situation 1. What was the basic situation leading up to the Soviet blockade of leading up to the Soviet blockade of Berlin?Berlin?

4 zones dividing Berlin basically into 4 zones dividing Berlin basically into east and west, Russians blockaded east and west, Russians blockaded Berlin when their currency was not Berlin when their currency was not accepted accepted

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Informal LectureInformal Lecture

2. What actions did the Soviet Union 2. What actions did the Soviet Union take to blockade Berlin?take to blockade Berlin?

Soviets blockaded road, rail, Soviets blockaded road, rail, and waterways and cut off and waterways and cut off all powerall power

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Informal Lecture Informal Lecture

3. How did the Western Allies respond 3. How did the Western Allies respond to the Soviet blockade? How did the to the Soviet blockade? How did the US add “a level of lethality” to their US add “a level of lethality” to their response?response?

Western Allies responded with an airliftWestern Allies responded with an airliftB-29s capable of carrying nuclear B-29s capable of carrying nuclear weapons were based in Englandweapons were based in England

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Informal Lecture Informal Lecture

4. What were the logistics involved 4. What were the logistics involved in Operation Vittles? What were the in Operation Vittles? What were the outcomes of this event? outcomes of this event?

Aircraft would land every 3 minutes Aircraft would land every 3 minutes averaging almost 6 tons per day deliveredaveraging almost 6 tons per day delivered

2 million tons of cargo in 277,000 flights 2 million tons of cargo in 277,000 flights

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Informal Lecture Informal Lecture

5. After the Berlin Airlift, how was 5. After the Berlin Airlift, how was the nature of the Cold War the nature of the Cold War altered? What did the Berlin Airlift altered? What did the Berlin Airlift say about airpower?say about airpower?

US and Soviets became adversariesUS and Soviets became adversariesProved the importance of airlift as an Proved the importance of airlift as an integral function of the Air Forceintegral function of the Air Force

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SummarySummary

The SituationThe Situation

Soviet ActionSoviet Action

Allied ResponseAllied Response

Air Force SuccessAir Force Success

The Cold War/AirpowerThe Cold War/Airpower

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ClosureClosure

““Time though dearly bought, has been Time though dearly bought, has been gained for peace…The airlift has justified gained for peace…The airlift has justified itself.”itself.”

-Winston Churchill-Winston Churchill